KR102382556B1 - Fluid Line Connectors and Assemblies with Fixed Sensing - Google Patents

Abstract

Fluid line connectors and assemblies provide remote mating detection capabilities, making them suitable for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection and automated, robotic and/or autonomous follow-up service technology. The fluid line connector includes a body, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a switch. The body has a passageway for fluid flow. The RFID chip is provided with an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The switch interacts with the antenna to enable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals, or disable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals.

Description

Fluid Line Connectors and Assemblies with Fixed Sensing

This application is an application claiming priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544,057 filed on August 11, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to connector assemblies used to connect fluid lines together, and more particularly to a method of sensing proper and complete engagement of connector assembly members.

Connector assemblies, particularly those with quick connect capabilities, are commonly used to connect fluid lines together in vehicle applications. An example is a coolant line for an electric vehicle.

Visual measurements are often performed on the design and construction of a connector assembly to assure that proper and complete engagement has been achieved between the members of the connector assembly for initial assembly, inspection, and subsequent servicing. Examples include a second latch that can close when fully engaged, and a window framed in one of the members of the connector assembly to view engagement. These measurements, like other measurements, require physical interaction and observation by the assembler, inspector, or service person to ensure proper and complete engagement between the members of the connector assembly.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include a body, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a switch. The body has a fluid flow passageway therethrough. The RFID chip is provided in the body and has an antenna. The antenna may transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The switch interacts with the RFID chip. This interaction may enable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals, and may also render the antenna unable to transmit and receive RF signals. When a complete fixation is achieved between the fluid line connector and another component, the antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals by means of the switch.

In one embodiment, if the fluid line connector is incompletely secured with another connector, the antenna will not be able to transmit and receive RF signals by the switch.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include an O-ring and an insert. The O-ring may be received within the passageway of the body. The insert is partially or more received within the passageway. The insert helps secure another connector that is secured to the fluid line connector.

In one embodiment, the RFID chip has an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna. Integrated circuits write data. When the fluid connector is fully engaged with the other connector, the antenna is able to transmit data.

In one embodiment, the body has a compartment separate from the passage. An RFID chip is provided in the compartment. The compartment may be closed with a cover.

In one embodiment, the switch is a button. When the fluid connector is fully engaged with the other connector, the button is pressed, allowing the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals.

In one embodiment, when the fluid connector is fully engaged with the other connector, abutment with the other connector causes the switch to be depressed. The switch then enables the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include an actuator member. The actuator member is positioned near the passageway of the body. When the fluid connector is fully engaged with the other connector, the other connector is brought into contact with the actuator member, which in turn causes the actuator member to depress the switch. Subsequently, the antenna is enabled to transmit and receive RF signals by means of the switch.

In one embodiment, the switch is a button.

In one embodiment, the actuator member is a cam member. The cam member has a first working surface at or adjacent to the passageway and a second working surface at or adjacent to the button. When the fluid connector is fully fixed with the other connector, the flange of the other connector contacts the first working surface of the cam member, and the second working surface of the cam member presses the button. Then, the antenna can transmit and receive RF signals by means of the button.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include a second RFID chip. The second RFID chip is provided in the body. The second RFID chip has a second antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals. The switch interacts with the second RFID chip. When the fluid connector is fully fixed with the other connector, the first antenna or the second antenna can transmit and receive RF signals by means of the switch.

In one embodiment, when the fluid line connector is incompletely fixed with the other connector, the switch enables the other one of the first antenna or the second antenna to transmit and receive RF signals.

In one embodiment, the switch may include a reed switch and a magnetic component. The reed switch is on the RFID chip or near the RFID chip in the fluid line connector. The magnetic component is on the other connector.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector assembly may include a fluid line connector and an RFID interrogator. The RFID interrogator exchanges RF signals with the RFID chip of the fluid line connector.

In another embodiment, the fluid line connector may include a body, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a switch. The body has a passage. The RFID chip is provided in the body. The switch is electrically connected to the RFID chip. When the fluid line connector is fully fixed with the other connector, contact occurs between the fluid line connector and the other connector, so that the RFID chip can transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through a switch method. If the fluid line connector and the other connector are incompletely secured, there will be no contact allowing the RFID chip to transmit and receive RF signals.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include an actuator member. The contact that occurs between the fluid line connector and the other connector causes the actuator member to depress the switch. Accordingly, the RFID chip can transmit and receive RF signals through a pressing method.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include an actuator member. An actuator member spans between the passageway and the switch. Contact that occurs between the fluid line connector and the other connector includes an actuator member and displaces the actuator member to depress the switch. Accordingly, the RFID chip can transmit and receive RF signals through a pressing method.

In one embodiment, the fluid line connector may include a cam member. The cam member is positioned at least partially within a through hole defined in the body. The cam member has a first working surface at or adjacent to the passageway and a second working surface at or adjacent to the switch. Contact occurring between the fluid line connector and the other connector includes the flange of the other connector contacting the first working surface and displacing the second working surface to depress the switch. Accordingly, the RFID chip can transmit and receive RF signals through a pressing method.

In another embodiment, a fluid line connector may include a body, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, a switch, and an actuator member. The body has a passage. The RFID chip is provided in the body. The switch is electrically connected to the RFID chip. An actuator member spans between the passageway and the switch. When the fluid line connector is fully fixed together with the other connector, the other connector contacts the actuator member, and the actuator member is displaced and depresses the switch.

In one embodiment, depression of the switch enables the RFID chip to transmit and receive RF signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid line connector assembly;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the fluid line connector assembly of FIG. 1 ;
3 is an exploded view of the fluid line connector of the fluid line connector assembly of FIG. 1 ;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid line connector assembly of FIG. 1 ;

Some embodiments of fluid line connectors and assemblies are detailed in this description. The connector and assembly of the present invention eliminates the need for a conventional second latch and window that requires observation and some degree of physical interaction by an assembler, inspector, or service person in the field, and provides a suitable and complete connection between connectors. It was designed and constructed to detect the quality. Instead, the connectors and assemblies of the present disclosure are provided with means capable of sensing proper and complete immobility through a device located remotely from the site of fixation of the connector, the device being physically present at the site of fixation for detection. no need to touch In this way, connectors and assemblies are suitable for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection and automated, robotic and/or autonomous follow-up service technology (eg, found in advanced manufacturing facilities of automotive production). Accordingly, connectors and assemblies can be useful in a variety of applications, such as where an immediate power supply is not readily available and not readily available. Although this specification provides connectors and assemblies in the context of automotive fluid lines, such as coolant fluid lines for electric vehicles, connectors and assemblies have a broader field of application and include aircraft fluid lines, marine fluid lines, agricultural fluid lines, as well as other fluid lines. It is also suitable for use in

As used herein, the phrase “complete fixation” and grammatical variations thereof are used to refer to a fixation in which a fluid-tight joint is established through a fluid line connector. Also, unless otherwise specified, the terms radial, axial, and circumferential, and grammatical variations thereof, refer to directions relative to the generally circular shape of the passageway of the fluid line connector.

Fluid line connectors and assemblies may have a variety of designs, configurations, and components in different embodiments, in some cases depending on the application using the fluid line connectors and assemblies. 1 to 4 a first embodiment of a fluid line connector and assembly 10 is shown. The fluid line connector and assembly 10 includes a fluid line connector 12 and another separate, discrete connector 14 . The fluid line connector 12 has a quick connect function for immediate connection and disconnection operation with the connector 14 and is used to connect automotive fluid lines together. In this embodiment, fluid line connector 12 is a female connector and connector 14 is a male connector (commonly referred to as a spigot). The fluid line connector 12, upon installation, receives insertion of the connector 14 at a first end 16 and is coupled to the fluid line at a second end 18 . Fluid line connector 12 has an elbow and L-shaped configuration in the figures, but may have straight and in-line configurations in other embodiments. The connector 14 may be a more or less unified part and integrated into a larger component such as a vehicle battery tray or heat exchanger, or it may be a more or less unified part and integrated into the fluid line, among other possibilities. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 , the connector 14 has a first flange 20 projecting outwardly in the radial direction of its body, and is likewise spaced axially from the first flange 20 in the radial direction of the connector body. It has a second flange 22 protruding outward. The first and second flanges 20 , 22 extend circumferentially around the connector 14 . The connector 14 has an outer surface 24 .

In this embodiment, the fluid line connector 12 includes a body 26 , an O-ring 28 , an insert 30 , a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 32 , a switch 34 and an actuator member 36 . includes; However, in other embodiments, the fluid line connector 12 may have more, fewer, and/or different components. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the body 26 has a passageway 38 defined as a structure for allowing fluid flow through the fluid line connector 12 . The body 26 also has a compartment 40 for receiving and placing the RFID chip 32 . The compartment 40 is a space separated from the passage 38 . A removable cover 42 may be provided to close the compartment 40 and enclose the RFID chip 32 therein. The body 26 further has a through hole 44 therein for placing and assembling the actuator member 36 in place. When the actuator member 36 is withdrawn from the body 26 (eg, as shown in FIG. 3 ), it passes through a passageway 44 open to both the passageway 38 and the compartment 40 . 38) and the compartment 40 communicate with each other. O-ring 28 is received within passageway 38 and makes a seal between fluid line connector 12 and connector 14 , as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4 . Insert 30 is also received within passageway 38 and facilitates securing connector 14 when connector 14 and fluid line connector 12 are secured together. In the example of the figure, the insert 30 has a hook end that captures the first flange 20 when inserting the connector 14 into the fluid line connector 12 to an appropriate overlapping depth as shown in FIG. 4 . It has a pair of tangs 46 with poles 48 . The insert 30 includes a first ring structure 50 and a second ring structure 52 connected to each other by tangs 46 . To disassemble the connector 14 from the fluid line connector 12 , the press-down 54 on the opposite side of the second ring structure 52 will be pressed to release the captured first flange 20 . can

The RFID chip 32 facilitates sensing of proper and complete fixation between the fluid line connector 12 and connector 14 . The RFID chip 32 transmits and receives a radio frequency (RF) signal to and from the RFID interrogator 56 . The RFID interrogator 56 sends a test signal 58 to the RFID chip 32 , which responds with an RF signal 60 . In this way, it is to use RFID technology to detect proper and complete fixation. In a manufacturing facility, for example, RFID interrogator 56 may be secured during assembly, inspection, and/or installation production lines, and fluid line connectors, superassembly 10, and larger sized applications may be secured. The RFID interrogator 56 may establish an interrogation zone for intercommunicating with the RFID chip 32 when transported through the work zone. Depending on the manufacturing facility, the RFID interrogator 56 may establish an interrogation zone that spans several meters from the RFID interrogator 56 . In another setting, the RFID interrogator 56 may be a mobile device, such as a portable device. The RF signal 60 may convey various data and information to the RFID interrogator 56 . In one embodiment, the information conveyed may be indicative of the fixation between the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 . For example, when the fluid line connector 12 and connector 14 show complete fixation, the RF signal 60 may convey information to the RFID interrogator 56 that it is fully fixed in the form of an ON signal. The RFID interrogator 56 may then process the communicated information. The information conveyed may also include a serial number, installation location, and the like.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the RFID chip 32 is provided in the body 26 . The support between the RFID chip 32 and the body 26 may be achieved in a variety of ways. In this embodiment, the RFID chip 32 resides within the compartment 40 and is protected by a cover 42 upon installation. In this position, the RFID chip 32 is protected from exposure to fluid flow through the passageway 38 and from external sources of contamination depending on the particular application. The RFID chip 32 has an antenna 62 for exchanging (ie, sending and receiving) RF signals, and an integrated circuit (IC) 64 for recording data and information, among other possible functions.

The switch 34 interacts with the RFID chip 32 to disable and disable the RFID chip 32 transmitting and receiving RF signals to and from the RFID interrogator 56, and the RFID chip 32 transmitting and receiving RF signals. works However, this interaction may affect the operation of the RFID chip 32 in other ways. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the switch 34 is electrically coupled to the RFID chip 32 , such that the antenna 62 is capable or disabled of transmitting and receiving RF signals. The switch 34 may have a variety of designs, configurations, and components in other embodiments, depending on the design and configuration of the interacting RFID chip and accompanying connector. For example, switch 34 may take mechanical, electrical, and magnetic forms. According to one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the switch 34 is in the form of a button 66 mounted on the RFID chip 32 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the button 66 is positioned between the RFID chip 32 and the actuator member 36 , adjacent the piercing portion 44 . Due to the electrical coupling to the RFID chip 32, the button 66, when pressed and physically pressed, allows the antenna 62 to transmit and receive RF signals. A single press and release of button 66 may activate the RFID chip 32, or, according to an embodiment, sustained impact and pressure may activate the RFID chip 32 for the duration of the impact and pressure. can Conversely, pressing and releasing button 66 once may deactivate the RFID chip 32, or if the depression and compression do not persist, may deactivate the RFID chip 32 during the absence of the impact and compression. there is.

Also, in other embodiments, the switch 34 may be induced to activate and deactivate the RFID chip 32 by other means. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , another embodiment allows induction to be accomplished using a contactless switch instead of a contact based switch. A reed switch 68 is provided on the body 26 of the fluid line connector 12 , and a magnetic component 70 is provided on the connector 14 . Here, when the fluid line connector 12 and connector 14 are fully secured, the approach between the reed switch 68 and the magnetic component 70 induces activation of the RFID chip 32 . Conversely, incomplete fixation and remoteness between the reed switch 68 and the magnetic component 70 provided with each other deactivates the RFID chip 32 . In this embodiment, the actuator member 36 need not be provided.

When the actuator member 36 is fully fixed between the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 , while it is fully fixed, the actuator member 36 comes into contact, causing the switch 34 to collide. Actuator member 36 may have a variety of designs, structures, and components in different embodiments, and in some cases depend on the design and configuration of switch 34 and accompanying connector. 3 and 4 , as illustrated in the figure, the actuator member 36 spans between the passageway 38 and the switch 34 , such that the interconnection between the connector 14 and the RFID chip 32 is made. provides The actuator member 36 is provided in the body 26 of the fluid line connector 12 and is located in the through hole 44 . In this position, the actuator member 36 has one end at the passageway 38 and the other end at the switch 34 . 3 and 4 , the actuator member 36 is in the form of a cam member 72 . The cam member 72 is a single member and has a U-shaped profile with a base 74 and a pair of prongs 76 . The base portion 74 has a first working surface 78 on the switch 34 to maintain contact with the switch 34 . Each of the prongs 76 also has a second working surface 80 positioned in the passageway 38 for contacting the connector 14 when the prongs 76 are inserted into the fluid line connector 12 . . The second working surface 80 may be inclined with respect to the axis of the connector 14 to facilitate contact with the connector 14 and induce a concomitant displacement of the cam member 72 .

When the fluid line connector 12 and assembly 10 are used, proper and complete fixation can be sensed via RFID technology. The fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 are connected together by the connector 14 being inserted into the body 26 at the first end 16 . The first flange 20 is brought into contact with the cam member 72 to displace the cam member 72 upward (relative to the direction in the drawing) and toward the button 66 direction. The first flange 20 creates a surface-to-surface contact with the second working surface 80 of the cam member 72 . The cam member 72 is urged upwards, thereby depressing the button 66 through surface-to-face contact between the first working surface 78 and the opposing surface. In this embodiment, the first flange 20 maintains contact with the cam member 72 , and the cam member 72 maintains full engagement with the button 66 .

In another embodiment, the fluid line connector 12 includes one or more RFID chips. In particular, referring to FIG. 3 , a second RFID chip 33 is provided in addition to the first RFID chip 32 . Like the first RFID chip 32 , the second RFID chip 33 helps to sense proper and complete fit between the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 . In this embodiment, both the first and second RFID chips 32 , 33 transmit and receive RF signals with the RFID interrogator 56 . For example, when the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 are fully fixed, the first RFID chip 32 may transmit information to the RFID interrogator 56 that it is fully fixed. Conversely, when the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 are not completely fixed to each other, the second RFID chip 33 may transmit information indicating that the fluid line connector 12 and the connector 14 are not fully fixed to the RFID interrogator 56 . Also, in the complete fixation, the second RFID chip 33 does not transmit the information that it is incompletely fixed to the RFID interrogator 56; In addition, when they are not completely fixed to each other, the first RFID chip 32 does not transmit the information that it is completely fixed to the RFID interrogator 56 . As in the previous embodiment, the first and second RFID chips 32, 33 may carry additional information such as serial number, location, installation location, and the like. Whether the first RFID chip 32 transmits the information that it is fully fixed or the second RFID chip 33 transmits the information that it is incompletely fixed is partially managed by the switch 34 . In this embodiment, the switch 34 interacts with both the first and second RFID chips and is electrically coupled to both the first and second RFID chips 32 , 33 . Interaction and transfer of information may be performed in different ways. For example, when depressed, the switch 34 activates the first RFID chip 32 to transmit information that it is fully locked, and when not depressed, the switch 34 activates the second RFID chip 33 . It can be used to transmit information that it is incompletely fixed. Depression of the switch 34 and the absence of depression may render the first RFID chip 32 or the second RFID chip 33 inactive and non-transferable.

The foregoing description is to be understood as a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and not as a definition of the invention. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but is defined solely by the claims hereinafter. Further, statements contained in the foregoing description are directed to specific embodiments and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention or on definitions of terms used in the claims, except where the term or phrase is expressly defined above. should not be interpreted Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein and in the claims, the terms “for example,” “such as” and “such as” and “comprising,” “having,” “comprising,” and their verb forms refer to one or more elements or another. When used with a list of items, each should be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered excluding other additional components or items. Other terms should be interpreted in their broadest and reasonable sense unless used in a context requiring different interpretations.

Claims (20)

a body having a passage for fluid flow formed therethrough;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip provided in the main body and having an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals; and
a switch cooperating with the RFID chip to enable or disable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals;
When fully fixed with another connector, the antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals by means of the switch,
When fully fixed with the other connector, contact from the other connector causes the switch to be depressed, and the antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals by the switch;
and an actuator member positioned adjacent the passageway of the body, wherein when fully secured with the other connector, the other connector contacts the actuator member, and then the actuator member depresses the switch, so that the antenna It becomes possible to transmit and receive RF signals by the switch,
The switch is a button,
wherein the actuator member is a cam member having a first working surface positioned in the passageway and a second working surface positioned adjacent the button;
When fully fixed with the other connector, the other connector contacts the first working surface of the cam member, and then the second working surface presses the button, so that the antenna transmits and receives RF signals by the button. A fluid line connector, characterized in that it allows.
The method of claim 1,
When the other connector is incompletely fixed, the antenna becomes unable to transmit and receive RF signals by the switch.
The method of claim 1,
In order to facilitate maintenance of the fixed state with the other connector,
and an O-ring received within the passageway of the body, and an insert at least partially received within the passageway of the body.
The method of claim 1,
The RFID chip has an integrated circuit (IC) for writing data,
wherein said antenna is capable of transmitting said data when fully secured with said other connector.
The method of claim 1,
The body has a compartment separate from the passage,
wherein said RFID chip resides within said compartment, said compartment being closable by a cover.
The method of claim 1,
The fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein the button is pressed when fully fixed with the other connector, so that the antenna can transmit and receive RF signals.
delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a second RFID chip provided in the body,
The second RFID chip has a second antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals,
the switch interacts with the second RFID chip;
The fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna or the second antenna can transmit and receive RF signals by means of the switch when fully fixed with the other connector.
12. The method of claim 11,
The fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein the other one of the first antenna or the second antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals by means of the switch when it is incompletely fixed with the other connector.
delete A fluid line connector assembly comprising the fluid line connector according to claim 1 and comprising an RFID interrogator for exchanging RF signals with the RFID chip of the fluid line connector.
a body having a passage;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip provided in the body; and
and a switch electrically connected to the RFID chip,
When it is fully fixed with another connector, a contact occurs between the other connectors, and the RFID chip is able to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through the switch,
When it is incompletely fixed with another connector, the contact that allows the RFID chip to transmit and receive RF signals is absent,
Further comprising a cam member at least partially positioned in the through hole formed in the body,
the cam member has a first working surface positioned in the passageway and a second working surface positioned adjacent the switch;
the contact occurring between the other connector includes the other connector contacting the first working surface of the cam member and displacing the second working surface to depress the switch;
The RFID chip is a fluid line connector, characterized in that it can transmit and receive RF signals through the pressing. delete delete delete delete delete

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